The chair of Shepton Mallet Town Council has written to residents outlining plans to buy the derelict Coach House as a permanent civic base — and insisted the deal would not involve new spending.

In an open letter, Cllr Dave Crisfield said the building, located in the Townsend Retail Park, is the best opportunity the town has had in two decades to restore its own council home. He said money from the 2003 sale of the former Town Hall had been safeguarded for exactly this purpose.

He wrote: "This is not a final, irreversible commitment — but it is the strongest option we have seen in two decades to secure a permanent, civic home for Shepton Mallet."

Cllr Crisfield said the project will only go ahead if surveys and costings check out, and warned the Coach House is a historic asset at risk of demolition or poor redevelopment if the council doesn't act.

He pledged full transparency, with more details and public input expected before any final refurbishment vote.

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